2022 Acura RDX vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2022 Kia Carnival presented a unique design across its various trims, each offering distinct elements that set them apart. The LX trim featured a standard black grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim doubled the available paint colors and added 19-inch machined-finish wheels, simulated wood trim, and SynTex simulated leather. The SX trim introduced a mirrored grid-pattern grille and black wheels, and the SX Prestige trim focused on interior upgrades with real leather and VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV styling cues, such as skid plates and a floating roof design, contributed to its appealing and upscale appearance, even in the base trim. The interior continued the SUV theme with a dashboard and center console reminiscent of a crossover, offering a stylish and upscale look.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura RDX featured subtle styling changes inspired by the larger MDX model, with updates to the grille surround, bumpers, and wheel designs. The limited-production PMC Edition stood out with its exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and Orchid white interior. The RDX lineup included various trims, with the A-Spec Advance package offering high-quality materials and a quieter interior. Despite some reservations about the new vertical air inlets, the RDX maintained a stylish flair compared to its rivals. The interior boasted a sporty driving position and a dramatic IDS driving mode knob, though the control layout required some acclimation. Overall, the RDX offered a comfortable and stylish experience, with a focus on driving dynamics.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a new 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. It offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine provided smooth and effortless acceleration, while the automatic transmission operated unobtrusively. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, it exhibited delayed downshift responses, particularly noticeable when cornering or climbing hills. The Carnival achieved an average fuel economy of 21.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 22 mpg estimate. Dynamically, the Carnival felt taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance and responsive handling, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The engine delivered quick and enjoyable performance, though heavy-footed driving could impact fuel economy, with an average of 20.6 mpg compared to the EPA's 23 mpg rating. The RDX came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered front-wheel drive as standard, with the option of Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The SH-AWD system provided excellent torque-vectoring capabilities, enhancing the RDX's driving dynamics. The RDX's adaptive-damping suspension and Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) offered distinct driving modes, contributing to a smoother and more responsive ride. The RDX excelled in driving dynamics, offering a comfortable and communicative experience, though it didn't quite match the performance of some German rivals.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering a spacious interior with various seating configurations. The LX trim featured captain's chairs with a center pass-through, while the LX Seat Package added a middle second-row seat for increased flexibility. The EX and SX trims offered an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration, and the SX Prestige trim included power-adjustable VIP Lounge Seats with leather upholstery. The Carnival's third-row seat provided ample comfort for adults, and the rear cargo area offered 40.2 cubic feet of space, expandable to 86.9 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could be inadvertently activated. Overall, the Carnival provided exceptional cargo capacity, with up to 145.1 cubic feet of space when the second-row seats were removed.

The 2022 Acura RDX, as a compact SUV, offered ample room for four adults and their luggage, with a standard panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of space. The RDX's interior featured a sporty driving position and a unique control layout, including the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation, while the rear seats lacked support for adults. The RDX's cargo area provided 29.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The power liftgate offered hands-free operation, and hidden storage compartments beneath the load floor added convenience. Overall, the RDX offered a stylish and functional interior, though the rear seat comfort could be improved.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a range of technology features, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the LX trim, featuring Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX trim introduced a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired smartphone integration, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and navigation. The Carnival also included features like Passenger View and Passenger Talk, enhancing communication within the vehicle. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige trim featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Overall, the Carnival provided a comprehensive suite of technology features, though the transition from wireless to wired smartphone integration was a step backward.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, pairing a 10.2-inch display with a touchpad controller. The TTI required a learning curve, as it introduced a unique approach to interacting with the infotainment system. The RDX also included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The Technology package added a navigation system, while higher trims offered premium sound systems, including a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system. The RDX's technology offerings were comprehensive, though the TTI's complexity could be a drawback for some users.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. The EX trim added features like front parking sensors and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The Carnival also included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim featured a surround-view camera system, while the SX Prestige trim offered a Blind View Monitor. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety and aimed to maintain its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The RDX included the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assist features, with enhancements for 2022, such as pedestrian detection and blind-spot monitoring. The Technology package added front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. The RDX received a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings.